Acetylene-gas generator.



J. K ILBURN, J. W. FAIRLEY, T. B. KIDNER, W. H. IRVINE &W. T. CHESTNUT.

' AGETYLBNE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6, 1911.

Patented June 18, 1912.

SHBET 1.

3 SHEETS Tkk Inventors Attorneys COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH $0.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

J. KILBURN, J. W. FAIRLEY, T. B. KIDNER, W. H. IRVINE & W. T. CHESTNUT.

' AUETYLENB GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 6, 1911.

Patented June 18, 1912.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 60., WASHINGTON. D. c.

J. KILBURN, J. W. FAIRLEY, T..B. KIDNER, W. H. IRVINE & W. T. CHESTNUT.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5, 1911.

Attorneys COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON. D. c.

nrrn s'ra'rus in r FTQ JOHN'KIIJB'URN, J OHNWESL'EY FAIRLEY, THOMAS BESSELL KIDNER, WILLIAM HER BERT IRVINE, AND WILLIAM TURNIBULL CHESTNUT, OF. FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA, ASSIGNORS TO MONITOR GAS GENERATOR COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ACETYLENE-GAS' GENERATOR;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1912.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, JOHN TTILBURN, J 01m nsLnr FAIRLEY, Tnoinxs BESSELL Kim-e WILLIAM HERBERT IRVINE, and WILLIAM; T'UHNBULL .GI-IESTNUT, all subjects of the King of Great Britain, and residing at the city of Fredericton, in the Provinceof New Brunswick, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Gras Generators; and we do hereby declare that the following. is afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as, will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to gas generators and particularly to acetylene gas generators of the inverted bell variety.

This applicationis animprovement on the subject matter of application Serial Number 607,708. \Ve do not claim in this applicationthe subject matter of any claim in the application above mentioned nor iniour application #637,098, filed July 6th, 1911.

In order to more clearly disclose the construction, operation, and use of the inven tion, reference should be had to the accompanying drawingsformingppart oftlie present application.-

Throughout the several figures of the drawings like reference characters designate the'same parts.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the generator, complete, Fig. 2 is a lefthand end view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3' is a vertical longitudinal section of the complete generator: Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elev-a tion of the carbid chamber and attachments, as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. is a view similar to Fig. 1, lOOklIlgtOWitlCl the left of Fig. 1.; Fig. 6 is a topplan view of Fig. 4:; Fig. 7 is a plan View of the drain cock, removed; and Fig. 8 is a front view of the closure retaining device.

Referringto the drawings in detail, 1 in dicates a gas generating tank provided with" an upwardly extending neck 2. adapted to loosely receive a removable cast iron'collar having, an annular perforated supporting flange Upon flange 3 rests asiniilarand cooperating flange; of a corresponding collar similarly fitted about and supporting. the lower end of a removable cal-bid receptacle 7 pipe9, in the usual manner.

40f usual and well known form. The two annular flanges may be readily and solidly connected by bolts or the like, as will be evident. If desired, the collars may be soldered or otherwise solidly secured to the neck 2 and the carbid receptacle 4. The upper part of this generating tank is connect-ed by an elbow pipe 5 with a vertical gas delivery pipe 6 which is adapted to deliver thegasto the interior of a bell 7 slidably mounted in the gas tank 8. Gas may be drawn from the gas tank through the Centrally arranged within the chamber 8 is a hollow guide tube or pipe 10 adapted to fit loosely within a similar tube 11 extending downwardly from the top of the bell. The tube 11 is provided with a plurality of perforations 12 arranged at a predetermined point below the top of the bell. WV hen the gas beneath the bell forces it upward to such a point that the perforationslQ are above the surface of the water, the excessgas will escape through the perforations and out through the tube 10 to the lower compartment of the tank 8 and thence through an opening 42 by a pipe to the flue 41, and thence by a suitable vent pipe to the outside of the building in which the generator is placed. In this way, the gas bell cannot be'raised, by the gas, beyond a predeter mined point.

In order to cut offthe generation of gas at theproper time, it is necessary to stop the feed of carbid to the generating tank. For this purpose, an operating lever 18 (F igs. 1 and 3) has been provided. The long end of this lever is adjustably connected to an easily fusible strap on the top of bell 7 by means of a threaded rod 56 and cooperating nut 57-, which may be a winged thumb nut as shown in Fig. 1 or a slightly modified form as shown in Fig. 3. This lever is fulcrumedon the top of a cup shaped cap 14 provided with an annular, perforated, supporting flange-15, adapted to rest upon and cooperate with a similar flange 16 formed on andv extending from a flanged ring 17 which is removably seated in a circular openingin the top of the carbid receptacle 4. The flanged ring is adapted to support a cylindricalfianged guard tube 18 extending downwardly within the receptacle to within a short distance of the bottom, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The cap 14; and annular flange 16 are detachably and securely connected by bolts or the like passed through the perforations of their flanges. The short end of lever 13 is bifurcated and longitudinally slotted. One arm 19 of the bifurcated end of the lever is pivoted to the lever at 20, to swing laterally therefrom. A threaded rod 21 projects through the slot of the lever 13 and is provided with an adjusting nut 22 screwed down thereon. Normally, the arm 19 is held in operative position by means of a rockable yoke 23 provided with off set arms 21 and 25 and pivotally mounted on the end of the stationary arm of the lever 13. The yoke is provided with a notch or recess adapted to receive or seat the end of the movable arm 19 and hold it parallel with the fixed arm of the lever, thereby supporting the nut 22. The off set arm 24 underlies a horizontal rock shaft 26 revolubly journaled in a suitable bearing formed as a part of one side of the cap 1 1. This shaft is provided with an outer arm 27 detachably connected thereto, and an inner arm 28 which projects downwardly within the guard tube 18. The outer arm is pivotally connected to the lower end of the rod 21 and the inner arm is pivotally connected to the upper end of a valve rod 29 on the lower end of which is fixed a plug valve 30, preferably rubber faced, adapted to close the discharge or delivery opening for delivering carbid to the interior of the generating tank. Slidably mounted on the valve rod 29, above the plug valve 30, is a cup shaped valve 31 adapted to seat itself, by gravity, slightly in advance of the plug valve 30 and to remain seated a short while after the plug valve has been lifted. The result of this construction is, that as soon as the hell 7 falls below a predetermined point, the short bifurcated end of the lever 13 will be raised, carrying with it the rod 21 and thus raising the valves 30 and 31 to permitcarbid to drop from the receptacle 4: to the generating tank 1. The bell then rises as a result of the gas just generated. In this way, the quantity or supply of gas generated is kept fairly constant. Should an excess quantity be suddenly generated, the bell will rise until the excess may escape through the perforations 12 and pipe 10 into the lower compartment of the gas tank. Should this supply of carbid in the receptacle 4 become exhausted and all the gas in the bell 7 be used, it is advisable, of course, to close the delivery opening of the carbid receptacle by seating the valves. This is effected automatically by engagement of the offset arm 24 with the rock shaft 26, as the short end of lever 13 rises, due to the drop of the bell 7. As soon as the off set arm 21- engages the rock shaft 26, the yoke 23 will be rocked on its pivot and the arm 19 will be freed, moving easily out to inoperative position, thus breaking connection between rod 21 and lever 13 and allowing the lever end to rise while the rod drops. .Va-lves 39 and 31, of course, seat themselves by gravity, as soon as the connection is thus broken. Consequently, under such circumstances, the valves will be closed and remain closed until recharging. In this way, no moisture can pass from the generating tank to the interior of the carbid receptacle, even though the apparatus remain unused for a very considerable period.

In order to insure, with absolute certainty, the seating of the valves before recharging of the carbid receptacle, the closure plug 32 is held in place by a threaded rod 33 provided with a wide head or hand wheel 31 and threaded through a yoke 35 mounted to swing above the plug 32see Fig. S.

Above this head extends the arm 36 of a rod 37 mounted to slide vertically in the bearing or guide 38 fixed to the receptacle 41. Downwardly curved fingers 39 extend laterally from the arm 36 and lie directly over the head 34 and beneath the off set arm 25- between the off set arm 25 and head 34. Consequently, whenever the head 3 1 rises, as the rod 33 is screwed upwardly to release the plug 32, said head will engage the fingers 39 and ar1n 36 and carry them upwardly into engagement with the off set arm 25, thus rocking the yoke 23 and freeing the arm 19, to permitthe valves 30 and 31 to seat themselves and so cut off the feed of carbid during recharging of the receptacle.

In order to avoid excessive pressure in the upper part of the generating tank 1, a safety tube 40 has been provided. This tube extends downwardly through the top of tank 1 and its lower end projects below the normal water line in the tank. The upper end of the tube communicates with an escape flue 11, and thence by a suitable vent pipe before mentioned to the outside of the build ing in which the generator is placed. Consequently, when the gas pressure in the generator tank exceeds a predetermined point, water will be forced upwardly through a tubular hollow agitator rod 13 and its casing 14: to a sufficient extent to uncover the lower end of tube 40 and thereby permit escape of the excess gas, without causing siphoning of the water in the gas tank, as heretofore.

It is essential, of course, to provide means for the escape of the air and gas mixture from the generating tank during recharging, and during the emptying of the generating tank this operation is more commonly known as venting the generating tank. For this purpose, a bypass 4:5 is provided. One end of this by-pass communicates with the upper end of the escape flue 41 whilethe oppositeend projects downward-1y through the top of the generator tank. At a point-ujust above its passage through the top of the generator tank, the by-pass communicates \viththe' elbow pipe 5. At a'point just above this connection, the'by-pass is provided witha turn plug or valve 46 adapted to control'passage of fluid therethrough. When the turn plug or valve 46" is open, the fluid will pass through the by-passand escape into the fine 41 and thence to the outer air. hen closed, the gas generated in the generating tank will pass, by way of elbow pipe 5, into the gas tank. To eii'ect opening of this plug or valve, during charging of the carbid receptacle, the plug is provided with anoperatinghandle 47 which is flexibly connected by link or'like device 48, to the'lower end of the slidingrod 37; The result is, that whenever the rod 37 is raised for recharging, the valve 46 will be opened and the chamber 1 will be vented; On the other hand, the rotary drain plug 49 is provided with a handle 50 which is connected by a rod 51 With'the handle 47. The connection between the rod 51 and handle 47 is pivotal. Thus, either raising of rod 37 to recharge the carbid holder, or opening of the drain plug, will effect opening of the by-pass valveor turn plng'46, and automatic ventinglof the generating chamber.

Inthe preferred form of the invention, the rod is provided with an upper section 102 ofsq'uar'ed or similar cross section, and adapted to slide vertically through correspondingly shaped openings in the guide brackets secured to the side of the carbid chamber. This arrangement prevents turning of the rod 37 as long as the squared section is in the guide openings of the brackets. The lower portion of the rod, however, is cylindrical! Consequently, when the rod is raised so that this rounded portion is in the opening'of the brackets, it is possible to rotate the rod about its longitudinal axis.

The link 48,- however, can not be swung with the rod 37. Consequently, a swivel connection is provided. This comprises a small stirrup 100 swiveled to the lower end of rod 37, and a pivot bolt 101 or the like passed through the sides ofthe stirrup and through the upper endot the rod 48. Thus, the arm 36 with its fingers 39 may be readily swung out of the way while recharging. At the same time, of course, the drain plug 49 will, necessarily, be opened. Furthermore, the lower end of the squared section of the rod 37 will rest on the upper face of the top bracket and maintain the drain plug 49 in open position, until the rod is again turned back and lowered.

In order to prevent the arm 36 passing above the ofi" set arm 25-instead of beneath it, when the arm 36 is returned-to operative position, a guard finger 103 has been formed on the end of the oil set arm 25. This finger is arranged tointercept the arm 36 when rotated'in a plane above the oil" set arm 25.

One particular advantage of having the agita tor43 made as a hollow tube is that it may be used for filling the tank 1 with water.

In order to determine when the water in the tank ha-s reached its proper level, a gage cook 54 is provided. This gage cock is extended through the wall of tank 1 and the wall of the agitator casing and communicates with the interior of the casing.

If desired, an outlet or escape may be provided-whereby accumulated air, gas, or mixture of the same, may pass out from the lower compartment of the gas tank 8.

One particular advantage of the cap 14 and its connected parts is the ease and quickness with which it may be removed for inspection.

Another important feature is the placing of all operating parts on the exterior of the apparatus where they are easily accessible and-where they may be quickly renewed or repaired, when desired.

It is thought that the operation and use of, the invention will be clear from the preceding detailed description.

Changes may be made in the construction, arrangement, and disposition of the severalparts oft-he invention without in any ay departing from the field and scope of the same and it is meant to include all such within this application wherein only a preferred form has been disclosed.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1; In combination with a gas generating ank having a vent valve and a drain valve, devices connecting said valves to make them operate together, a sliding rod connected to said devices and having fingers at its upper end, and a screw overlapped by said fingers and adapted to engage them and raise said rod at will opening said valves simultaneously as set forth.

2. In combination with a gas generating tank having a vent and vent valve, a carbid receptacle supplying said tank, a vertically adjustable screw for opening said receptacle to charge the same, a sliding rod having a part overlapping said screw so as to be lifted thereby and connections between said valve and said rod in order that the act of opening said receptacle for charging it may simultaneously vent said tank.

3. In combination with a gas generating tank having a vent, vent valve and drain valve, a carbid receptacle supplying said tank, a vertically adjustable screw for opening said receptacle to chargethe same, a

sliding rod having a part overlapping said means so as to be lifted thereby and connections between said valves and said rod in order that the act of opening said receptacle may simultaneously vent and drain said tank.

4. In combination with a gas generating tank having a vent tube, an. escape pipe communicating with said tube near the outer end of the latter and having its lower end submerged within said tank, a gas delivery pipe from said tank communicating with said vent tube near the inner end of the latter, a valve arranged in said vent tube between said escape pipe and said gas delivery pipe, a carbid receptacle, a movable device mounted thereon and means connected to said valve and arranged to be acted on by said device for opening the same.

5. In combination with a gas generating tank having a vent tube, an escape pipe communicating with said tube near the outer end of the latter and having its lower end submerged within said tank, a gas delivery pipe from said tank communicating with said vent tube near the inner end of the latter, a valve arranged in said vent tube between the points of junction of these two pipes, means for normally keeping said valve closed, a drain valve for said tank, means connecting the vent valve and drain valve and means for actuating both of said valves simultaneously for the purpose set forth.

(3. A carbid receptacle having a charging opening and an outlet opening, in combination with a gas generating tank supplied thereby, a gas tank, a gas pipe connecting the two tanks, an escape flue, a by-pass con necting said pipe to said flue, a valve in said by-pass directing the gas alternately to said gas tank or said flue, movable means attached to said valve, fingers moving with said means, a closure for said charging opening and a screw normally bearing on said closure and arranged to engage and lift said fingers when freeing said closure, in order that said valve may thereby be operated to vent the said generating tank.

7. In combination with a carbid receptacle and a removable closure for its chargin opening, a screw for holding said closure in place or freeing it at will, a generating tank having a vent, vent valve, drain and drain valve, a sliding rod provided with connections to these valves for operating them simultaneously and with fingers extending over said screw in order that said rod may be lifted thereby, a valve cutting oil the flow of carbid from said receptacle to said tank, means for normally suspending this valve and means extending over said screw and actuated by its upward movement to free the last mentioned valve and allow it to seat itself simultaneously with the freeing of said closure and the opening of said vent pipe and drain pipe.

8. In combination with a carbid receptacle and an acetylene gas generating tank supplied thereby, a vent for said tank, a valve closing said vent, an arm connected to said valve, a sliding rod, a link pivotally connected at its ends to said arm and said rod, a charging closure for said carbid receptacle and vertically movable means for holding and freeing said closure at will, the said rod being provided with a part overlapping said means and arranged to be lifted thereby for opening said vent valve while opening said closure, said rod being held against turning except when in its highest position for the purpose set forth.

9. A carbid receptacle, an acetylene gas generating tank supplied thereby, a mov-' able yoke, a cut off valve and intermediate devices governed by said yoke, a vent valve for said tank, a rotatable and longitudinally slid-able rod arranged to operate said yoke and said vent valve simultaneously, means for sliding said rod longitudinally and means for preventing said rod from turning during its sliding motion.

10. A carbid receptacle, a closure for its charging opening, a generating tank supplied by said receptacle, a vent valve for said tank, a sliding rod having a loose pivotal connection to said valve and means for opening said closure arranged to engage and lift said rod, the said rod being cylindrical in its lower part and provided with a fixed guide which engages its prismatic part to prevent its turning until said rod is lifted high enough for its cylindrical part to enter said guide.

11. A carbid receptacle, a generating tank supplied thereby, a valve governing such supply, devices suspending said valve, a movable yoke for'holding said devices in engaging and suspending position, a rod having its lower part cylindrical and its upper part prismatic and arranged to move said yoke for freeing said valve and permitting the latter to close automatically when said rod moves upward, a vent valve for said tank, pivotal connections of said rod to said valve in order that said valve and yoke may be operated together and a it frees the same, a rod having a part bent M normally over said screw to be engaged for lifting said rod, a prismatic part below said bent part and a still lower cylindrical part, connections between the lower end of said rod and said valve permitting said rod to turn, and a guide adapted to engage the prismatic part of said rod and prevent the latter from turning until it rises sufiiciently to bring the cylindrical part into the guide, permitting the rod to be turned for moving its bent part out ofposition to be engaged by said screw.

13. Interference mechanism for gas generators comprising a pivotally mounted yoke, and a carbid cut-off valve a movable .rod adapted to move said yoke, means arranged to be in contact with said rod when it is thus moved and adapted to act on said yoke for freeing the sameand allowing the descent of said valve, a vent valve operated by said rod and means for actuating said rod and connections between said rod and vent valve comprising a link, a valve handle, a stirrup loose on sald rod and a pivot bolt in said stirrup substantially as set forth.

14.. Interference mechanism for gas generators provided with means for controlling the supply of carbid to the gas generating tank, in combination with said tank, a vent valve for the latter, a sliding rod for actuating said valve and connections between said rod and said vent valve which permit the, said rod to turn on its axis beside having endwise movement as set forth.

15. In combination with a carbid receptacle having a charging opening and movable closure therefor, means for normally holding said closure on said opening but movable to release the same, a rod arranged to be engaged by said means and moved endwise in the act of freeing said closure, a generating tank supplied by said receptacle, a vent valve for said tank and swiveling connections between said rod and said valve which permit said rod to turn on its axis.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN KILBURN.

JOHN WESLEY FAIRLEY. THOMAS BESSELL KIDNER. WILLIAM HERBERT IRVINE. WILLIAM TURNBULL CHESTNUT.

Witnesses SAM C. ANDREWS, GEORGE MASSEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C." 

